PALM DESERT, CA –– 27 November 2008. Friends of the Desert Mountains, the non-profit partner organization for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, is coordinating a series of Family Excursions to tour remarkable natural treasures in and around our valley. This coming Saturday, December 1st, the Friends will mark their fourth such occasion with a trip to the Coachella Valley Preserve, located in northern Coachella Valley.
The Coachella Valley Preserve is a fascinating oasis complex located in the midst of the San Andreas Fault zone. It is a great place to explore and learn about our area. The preserve is teaming with life including rare and endangered animal species such as the Desert Pupfish, the Fringe-Toed Lizard and a veritable menagerie of others.
Participants can meet either at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, located on Hwy. 74, four miles south of Hwy 11, at 8:15 am, before caravanning to the Preserve, or rendezvous at 9:00 am in front of the “Palm House” Visitor Center at the Coachella Valley Preserve. The Preserve is located on Thousand Palms Road, 2-miles north of eastern end of Ramon Rd. The event will include informative, easy walks / hiking tours of the preserve grounds and immediate vicinity. There is no fee to participate in the event.
This is the fourth of several planned Family Excursions events that the Friends of the Desert Mountains will be coordinating. Future destinations will include Tahquitz Canyon, Lake Cahuilla, and the Ribbonwood Equestrian Center (for a horseback trail ride).
For directions or more information about this or other upcoming Family Excursions program events, please call the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center at (760) 862-9984.
